8th Fighter Bomber Group
Units
35th Fighter-Bomber Squadron
36th Fighter-Bomber Squadron
80th Fighter-Bomber Squadron
Assigned to the 8th Fighter-Bomber Wing at Itazuke Air Base, Japan, at the start of the Korean War, the 8th FBG participated in combat operations, June 1950-July 1953. On June 26, one day after the North Korean invasion, its F-80C pilots provided high-cover combat air patrols along the Han River near Seoul to protect the air evacuation of U.S. citizens from South Korea. The next day, pilots of the group's 35th Fighter-Bomber Squadron in aerial combat shot down four enemy aircraft. Early in July, as the North Koreans advanced down the Korean peninsula, the group began low-level close air support of UN ground forces. In August and September the 8th FBG converted to the propeller-driven F-51, which consumed less fuel and provided greater loiter time on target than the jet-powered F-80. Also in August, it was attached for operational control to one of Fifth AF's temporary wings, the 6131st Tactical Support Wing. The group began operating from Korean bases in October and moved to North Korea in late November 1950. It resumed operations from Japan under the 8th FBW in December, after Chinese Communist forces drove the UN troops southward beyond the 38th parallel. Also in December, the group's pilots began once again to fly the F-80. The 8th FBG returned to forward bases in Korea some six months later, continuing to provide close air support to UN ground forces but increasingly flying interdiction missions against enemy transportation systems, airfields, troop concentrations, and supply areas. By January 1952, rail interdiction missions had become such a regular activity that the men chose as their theme song, "We've Been Working on the Railroad." By mid-1952, the group had returned to close air support of UN ground troops, but in November its pilots began flying night interdiction missions. As combat operations wound down in the spring of 1953, the group converted to the F-86 Sabre, using it effectively against ground targets, particularly enemy airfields, just prior to the armistice in July.
Assigned to the 8th Fighter-Bomber Wing at Itazuke Air Base, Japan, at the start of the Korean War, the 8th FBG participated in combat operations, June 1950-July 1953. On June 26, one day after the North Korean invasion, its F-80C pilots provided high-cover combat air patrols along the Han River near Seoul to protect the air evacuation of U.S. citizens from South Korea. The next day, pilots of the group's 35th Fighter-Bomber Squadron in aerial combat shot down four enemy aircraft. Early in July, as the North Koreans advanced down the Korean peninsula, the group began low-level close air support of UN ground forces. In August and September the 8th FBG converted to the propeller-driven F-51, which consumed less fuel and provided greater loiter time on target than the jet-powered F-80. Also in August, it was attached for operational control to one of Fifth AF's temporary wings, the 6131st Tactical Support Wing. The group began operating from Korean bases in October and moved to North Korea in late November 1950. It resumed operations from Japan under the 8th FBW in December, after Chinese Communist forces drove the UN troops southward beyond the 38th parallel. Also in December, the group's pilots began once again to fly the F-80. The 8th FBG returned to forward bases in Korea some six months later, continuing to provide close air support to UN ground forces but increasingly flying interdiction missions against enemy transportation systems, airfields, troop concentrations, and supply areas. By January 1952, rail interdiction missions had become such a regular activity that the men chose as their theme song, "We've Been Working on the Railroad." By mid-1952, the group had returned to close air support of UN ground troops, but in November its pilots began flying night interdiction missions. As combat operations wound down in the spring of 1953, the group converted to the F-86 Sabre, using it effectively against ground targets, particularly enemy airfields, just prior to the armistice in July.
Subject: CAPT CLARENCE VERNON SLACK, JR.
Russ Irvine wrote on February 16, 2019
City and State: OVIEDO FL
Unit: VF-143 PUKIN' DOGS
Service or Relationship: Navy
Comments: My Mother's brother, Uncle C.V. Slack, of Warwood, WV was MIssing in Action in 1951; and his status was later changed to KIA. We have never received any evidence to conclude that his aircraft (F-80 Shooting Star) or his remains have ever been discovered. He was, reportedly, shot down near Pyongyang Airfield and his three wingmen returned to base and filed reports of the event. He graduated from USMA West Point in 1945.
Keywords:
Subject: LOOKING FOR FOOER MEMBERS OF 8TH F-B GP IN KOREA 1951-2
Charles McCain wrote on November 11, 2013
City and State: DENISSON TX
Unit: 1ST COMM SQ, NAGOYA, JAPAN, APO 710
Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran
Comments: It has been more than 60 years since I was in Korea (on TDy) as
an aerial photographer for 8th F-B Group. I can't remember
the K designation for the base. Can anyone out there remember?
And what was the name of the village not far from the base?
Thanks.
Keywords: B-26 bomber
Subject: DOUGLAS BITTERLE
Rex Martin wrote on September 7, 2011
City and State:
Unit:
Service or Relationship: Family Member
Comments: Looking for any information about my uncle 1Lt.
douglas bitterle who was killed in korean war as a
bomber pilot.
Keywords: Looking for any information about my uncle 1Lt.
douglas bitterle who was killed in korean war as a
bomber pilot.
Subject: LOOKING FOR INFORMATION
Steven Justman wrote on January 21, 2011
City and State:
Unit:
Service or Relationship: Family Member
Comments: My uncle, Robert M. Ringle recently passed away. My mother is immediate next of kin (sister). As he was a decorated veteran, we are looking for information as to his service record and missions that warranted his awards.
Keywords: awards
Subject: 35TH FBW K-3, 7/50
Robert Woods (Bob) Soto SR. wrote on June 6, 2005
City and State: MOBILE AL
Unit: 35TH FBW,6131HOBO SQ, 8TH FBS
Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran
Comments: Would like to hear from as many friends as remmember that time and action. I lost 6 good frends in that concoy (Red Cox. Yarnel, Fernandez,Jones,forgot the rest).. Someone remind me of the others. Others in our outfit were Sgts Brazille,Saul.Mullens,Jacobs,Mitchell, King, ect.
Keywords: K-3 7-13-50,1Sgt Hiller, Maint Off 1lt Garvin Veh Maint Sq. Overrun by NKA, went 1st to seashore for evacuation by LST(SGT Kitley) to Kokura then to
Tsuiki. We got all our equiptment (A/C, Veh,Uniforms,Tools, etc. Then we went back to Korea via convoy for Sept 15 invasion at Inchun. From there to Kimpo where we set up for fighter aircraft support.
then we left for N.Korea 15 Nov 50, We arrived Pyongyang last part of Nov 50. Chinese came in to war, then we were thrown out and returned to K-16 at 4am. My crew and I were 1st or 2nd out of there in a wepons carrier. Our CO at the time was Maj. Calahan. From there we went to Itasuki, but before then we lost half of our convoy to the enemy. Half the convoy of it went to Pusan the other to a valley because the enemy changed the direction sign arrow to the right into a valley where they were d to . We all arrived at Atasuki AFB and setup in field House.Then on to more war until I left from
Suwon K-13 on 12-18-51.
Subject: RYNEX
Phillip Rynex wrote on May 17, 2004
Email Update Needed
City and State: ROMEOVILLE IL
Unit:
Service or Relationship: Friend of Veteran
Comments:
Keywords: I am a Rynex and saw you were looking for a Rynex, perhaps I could help if you tell me who you are looking for, as my father was in Korea, Warren Rynex, Gil Rynex
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